Following years of stagnating progress, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 delivered all foldable telephone followers wished and extra. This yr, Samsung added one of the best cell processor, a 200MP foremost digicam sensor, and a refreshed thin-and-light design to its premium Fold. Nonetheless, Galaxy Z Fold customers might need additionally gotten one thing they did not need, and that is the $2,000 beginning value of the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
For these conserving monitor at house, that makes the Galaxy Z Fold 7 the costliest Samsung foldable to ever launch within the U.S. It is even pricier than the unique Galaxy Z Fold that launched in 2019 for $1,980. In fact, inflation, tariff uncertainty, and a bunch of different elements would possibly clarify the value hike, however this simply goes to indicate that the choice of whether or not to purchase the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is extra sophisticated than ever.
Individuals contemplating an improve must take a look at their present telephone and work out whether or not having the latest Samsung foldable is definitely worth the excessive price. For anybody with a latest foldable from Samsung, Google, or OnePlus, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 might be out of attain — until you make the most of insane pre-order trade-in offers. It is simpler to justify an improve with an older mannequin as a result of the modifications compound throughout a number of generations.
Let’s dive into the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s value and specs that can assist you work out whether or not it’s best to improve or cross.
Must you improve to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 from a Galaxy Z Fold 6?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 was already a standout foldable, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 builds off these preliminary upgrades. Is there sufficient added to the newer mannequin to make present homeowners need to improve? That most likely relies on who you ask. There are numerous noticeable modifications, nevertheless it’ll be robust to justify spending $2,000 on a foldable only one yr after spending $1,900 on the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
The main variations between these two fashions shall be their show sizes and type elements. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has greater inside and outer screens, measuring 8 inches on the principle show and 6.5 inches on the quilt display screen. That is up from a 7.6-inch foremost display screen and a 6.3-inch cowl display screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Most significantly, the newer mannequin has a wider cowl display screen, which ought to make typing and common use extra snug.
Class | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 |
|---|---|---|
Folding show | 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x, LTPO (1-120Hz), 2184 x 1968 QXGA+ | 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x, LTPO (1-120Hz), 2160 x 1856 decision, 20.9:18 side ratio, 374 ppi, 2600 nits peak brightness, 480Hz PWM dimming |
Cowl show | 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2520 x 1080 HD+, Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 | 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x, LTPO (1-120Hz), 2376 x 968 decision, 22.1:9 side ratio, 410 ppi, 2600 nits peak brightness, 480Hz PWM dimming |
Working System | Android 16 (One UI 8) | Android 14 (One UI 6.1.1) [upgradeable] |
Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
RAM | 12GB | 12GB |
Storage | 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB |
Battery | 4,400mAh | 4,400mAh |
Charging | 25W wired charging, 15W wi-fi charging, 4.5 reverse wi-fi | 25W wired charging, 15W wi-fi charging, 4.5 reverse wi-fi |
Rear cameras | 200MP foremost + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom) | 50MP foremost + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom) |
Selfie cameras | 10MP (cowl show) + 10MP (folding show) | 10MP (cowl show) + 4MP (folding show) |
Dimensions | 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm (folded); 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2 mm (unfolded) | Folded (68.1 x 153.5 x 12.1 mm); Unfolded (132.6 x 153.5 x 5.6 mm) |
Weight | 215g | 239g |
Colours | Silver Shadow, Blue Shadow, Jetblack | Silver, Shadow, Pink, Navy |
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is considerably thinner and lighter than its predecessor, which might be essentially the most compelling purpose to improve. It is solely 8.9mm thick when closed, and which means you’ll be able to add a case to it if you would like whereas nonetheless remaining below the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 12.1mm thickness. In the meantime, the brand new model weighs solely 215 grams, and that is lower than each massive flagship from Apple, Google, and Samsung.
{Hardware} upgrades are a blended bag. The brand new mannequin has the benefit of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and a 200MP digicam, however the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s comparable choices aren’t any slouch. You most likely will not discover that massive of a distinction in efficiency throughout day by day use. Plus, the quantity of RAM, battery capability, and charging velocity is totally unchanged between fashions.
Whereas it will be good to have the thinner and lighter Galaxy Z Fold 7, most Galaxy Z Fold 6 customers ought to most likely follow the telephone they’ve for an additional yr. I lately put a SIM again into the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, and it is a wonderful foldable that also holds up in 2025. It was robust to go from Galaxy S25 Edge to a thicker gadget, and I completely seen a distinction holding the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Nonetheless, we’re speaking about $2,000 right here. Until you have got boatloads of money, there simply is not sufficient to justify the improve from the prior mannequin. And this is not a knock on Samsung — I do not assume there’s something that would make me justify spending $2,000 yearly on new foldable telephones.
Must you improve to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 from an older Galaxy?
Now, the state of affairs modifications a bit after we’re speaking about older Samsung Galaxy fashions. Even the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, which is simply two years outdated, is beginning to present its age. It has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip that wasn’t constructed for the AI period, and a 6.2-inch cowl display screen that is not extensive sufficient by 2025 requirements. Moreover, the telephone’s 252-gram weight and 13.4mm thickness when folded is fairly chunky in comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
There are positives to sticking with the Galaxy Z Fold 5, because it has the identical battery capability, charging velocity, and secondary cameras because the newer Galaxy Z Fold 7. Whereas some issues are means higher on the newer mannequin, others are precisely the identical.
When you personal a Galaxy Z Fold 4 or older, the state of affairs turns into a bit clearer. These Galaxy foldables had the older wedge-shaped hinge with a niche between the 2 halves of the telephone. This not solely made the foldables thicker but in addition much less sturdy. Samsung’s hinge design and construct high quality have vastly improved since this technology of foldables, and there are numerous causes to improve.
For these with a Galaxy Z Fold 5 or a Galaxy Z Fold 4, an improve to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 makes numerous sense. Samsung is providing $900 of trade-in credit score for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and $800 for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 towards the newer mannequin, which is superb. It means your gadget may have retained about half of its worth even after two or three years of use. When you just like the Galaxy Z Fold type issue and don’t have any regrets, I would bounce on this Galaxy Z Fold 7 pre-order provide now earlier than your telephone loses worth.
Must you improve to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 from a Pixel Fold, Pixel 9 Professional Fold, or OnePlus Open?
Anybody with a Google Pixel Fold, Pixel 9 Professional Fold, or OnePlus Open ought to most likely take a pause earlier than leaping towards the brand new Galaxy Z Fold 7. For starters, switching from telephones just like the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold and OnePlus Open to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is extra like a lateral transfer. A lot of Samsung’s new additions, like a wider cowl display screen and skinny type issue, have been staples of Google and OnePlus foldables.
For instance, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the thinnest foldable out there within the U.S., the Pixel 9 Professional Fold measures 10.5mm when folded, and the OnePlus Open measures 11.7mm when folded. Each of these are nonetheless thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. So, though Samsung’s modifications are spectacular, they appear higher due to how far behind Galaxy Z Fold fashions already have been.
As such, for those who’re an proprietor of a Google or OnePlus foldable, I would suggest ready to see what the upcoming Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold holds. It could meet your wants higher, as a result of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is not as massive of an improve in comparison with non-Samsung foldables.
The right way to resolve whether or not it is time to improve to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
To wrap up, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 goes to really feel like the most important improve for individuals who have a Galaxy Z Fold 5 or older mannequin, or individuals who have by no means used a foldable day by day earlier than. For homeowners of the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold, OnePlus Open, and even an Honor or Oppo foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is not going to really feel as impactful of an improve.
To determine whether or not you must improve, take into consideration the methods your present telephone is not slicing it. Consider whether or not the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s upgrades — a thinner and lighter design, greater foremost and canopy screens, and a 200MP digicam sensor — will tackle these considerations. Lastly, resolve whether or not you’ll be able to afford to spend $2,000 to repair your present gadget’s shortcomings.
Keep in mind that you could stroll into your nearest Finest Purchase retailer to check out the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 for your self — that is how I bought my fingers on it earlier than launch day.
A worthy improve
You probably have an older Fold or are attempting one out for the primary time, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is one of the best foldable we have seen come to the U.S. Nonetheless, anybody with a latest big-screen foldable would possibly discover it exhausting to justify the $2,000 price ticket.
